Reggie Bush Says Fullback Could Help Him And Joique Bell

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 28: Reggie Bush #21 of the Detroit Lions reacts after a second quarter reception and long run while playing the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on November 28, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

ALLEN PARK (CBS DETROIT) – Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush is not concerned about potentially getting fewer carries in 2014 as part of a revamped offense that will use a fullback more. Instead, Bush said having another weapon in the run game would make the whole offense better in the long run, particularly by enhancing the abilities of Bush and fellow running back Joique Bell.

“Even if the workload is less for both of us, that’s only going to help us toward the end of the season to help us stay healthy and probably play stronger and better toward the end of the season,” Bush said.

Still, Bush seems to feel plenty good about what he and Bell accomplished largely without a fullback in 2013, when they were one of the best one-two punches in the NFL. Though they are very different runners, Bush and Bell can also catch the ball as well, making them a uniquely versatile pair. Last year the duo combined for 1,656 rushing yards and 1,053 receiving yards.

“What me and him have going right now is pretty good, and hopefully we can build on what we were able to put together last year,” Bush said. “I don’t think we’re at all worried about the workload. I think we both work hard enough throughout the offseason to prepare ourself for a heavy workload.

“We had a fullback last year, he just got injured, so you guys didn’t see him,” Bush added with a laugh. “Whatever they call us to do, we’ll be ready. Whether it’s less workload or more of a workload, we’ll be ready.”

Bush said he does not have a preference about running with or without a fullback in front of him.

“It’s just a guy in front of you,” Bush said. “The reads are a little bit different because you kind of have to wait on the fullback to make their move and make their block. I think there’s a little bit more patience involved when you have a fullback in front of you as opposed to when you’re just back there by yourself reading the defense and you’re just waiting on the offensive line.”

Bush, who played for the New Orleans Saints from 2006 to 2010, did not know how much the new Lions offense will resemble that of his former team, where new Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi was formerly the quarterbacks coach.

“It’s still early, so it’s hard to say,” Bush said. “We haven’t even starting installing plays yet, but knowing Joe Lombardi back from New Orleans from a few years [ago], I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of similarities to the New Orleans offense … We’ve got a long ways to go before we get into the middle of this thing, so we’ll just see. We’ll see what happens.

“We have the personnel to be able to do whatever we want,” Bush added later. “We have so many explosive players on the offensive side of the ball, guys that can do pretty much anything, so it’s going to be exciting. Whatever it is, the situation [that] is called for, I think we’ll be able to answer and we’ll be able to do it well.”